In the calm, clean waters of the Golfo Dulce in the southern coast of Costa Rica near the Osa Península, scientists Alejandro Solórzano and Mahmood Sasa from the University of Costa Rica found the object of their investigation, a 60 cm entirely yellow sea snake.

The investigators believe this is an endemic species, that has been isolated in this region due to the particular temperature and currents from the Gulf and that has followed its own evolution line.

Sea snakes are usually bicolored, found in the lines of foam near the water surface, while the yellow snakes are in clean waters and not in groups like the others, explained Solórzano to daily La Nación.

“The data we have so far indicate that we are witnessing a phenomenon of a new species within the sea snakes”, said Solórzano, and continued to say they are currently studying them to find data on the genetic distance between the ocean species and the ones in the gulf.

Sea snakes that are found from California, USA to the north of Peru, the Galapagos, Guanacaste Costa Rica and Pascua Islands are usually yellow bellied and have a black or dark brown back, their scientific name is Hydrophis platurus.

The all yellow specimens are unusual, and in Costa Rica they have been seen in Culebra Bay (Guanacaste) and the Golfo Dulce.

“In the opening of the gulf there is a marine current that comes in and immediately sinks, it goes around and comes back out, it works as a natural barrier because the sea snakes have trouble coming in and the yellow snakes have trouble getting out”, commented Solórzano.

The difference in the color can be explained by the different temperatures. Another difference is the size, since the yellow snake is smaller than the others and this makes also a difference in their diet; the yellow species eats only two or tree species of small fish. The venom of each species also has its differences, but more tests and research is still being done.

This is yet another wonder of the Golfo Dulce; the waters of the gulf are also used by humpback whales and hammer head sharks as a delivery room, and in the case of the whales, it is the best place for them to breastfeed their offspring.